Device for applying thin layers of liquids



' Jan; 19, 1937. J, M, WILSON DEVICE FOR APPLYING I'HIN LAYER S OF LIQUIDS Filed July 21, 1936 Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES DEVICE FOR APPLYING THIN LAYERS OF LIQUIDS John Marshall Wilson, Craigiehall, Dumbreck, Glasgow, Scotland Application July 21, 1936, Serial No. 91,781 In Great Britain October 3, 1935 1 Claim.

This invention relates to devices for applying thin layers of liquids of the type in which a container is provided with a cap or the like on which resilient means are mounted which spread the liquid from the said container on to the surface to be coated.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide the cap with suitable means which effectively spread the liquid upon the article.

Another object is to provide a cap which will supply just suflicient liquid and which will not become clogged or stopped up in use.

Further objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth in the specification and more particularly pointed out in the claim at the end thereof.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:---

Figure 1 is a part sectional elevation.

Figure 2 is a side view of the cap in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is another form of cap in section.

Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing, a container A such as a bottle is provided to contain the liquid and on the neck of this is mounted an india rubber cap B which fits over a rim or flange C so as to prevent the cap from being accidentally removed. The cap is provided with a tubular portion D projecting beyond the mouth of the bottle and this is formed as a chisel point as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is moulded of rubber so that the tubular portion is continued very nearly up to the apex. In the face of the chisel surface is provided a slit E and when the chisel point is pressed against the surface to which the liquid is to be applied, the deformation of the tubular projecting portion D is such that the slit will open and permit liquid to come out when the bottle is tipped up. Instead of a bottle a metal container may be employed if desired.

A piece of material F is mounted upon both faces of the projecting portion D but on the facewhich has the slit E the material terminates at the slit E, as shown in Figure 1. The material F may be sponge rubber, or a foundation having projections thereon such as hairs, bristles, fingers or the like. For example, it may be pile fabric cloth such as velour or mohair, or it may be rubber with rubber bristles, fingers or projections thereon.

If desired, however, the material F may be provided over the whole face and a slit made therein which coincides with the slit in the rubber such that the liquid will pass through the slit and flow on to the material F which can then be rubbed upon any surface so as to apply a thin layer as required. The material on the face opposite to the slit E may be used for polishing boots or shoes when a polish for that purpose is contained in the bottle, or for any other purpose, but, if not required, it may be omitted.

According to a modification, the projecting portion D may be cylindrical, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and may be cut off roughly at an angle of 45 thus giving an elliptical surface G in the centre of which a slit is provided and the piece of material F is secured to the half of the elliptical surface'farthest away from the bottle.

On pressing the projecting portion against the surface to be coated the deformation opens the slit E and the liquid runs out and is then applied by the covering F and spread evenly over the surface.

It is to be understood that the projecting portion may be square, rectangular, cylindrical or pyramidal and the slit may be provided in any of the sides or faces, as desired.

The device is very suitable for applying a liquid cleaner for boots and shoes, black, brown or white, the suitable solution for the purpose being contained in the container. It can also be used for paint, varnish, lacquer, stain, dye, spot or grease remover, or any other substance which requires to be spread over the surface in thin layers without having to employ a brush or other means.

A suitable cover or the like K is provided so that it will fit tightly over a suitable enlargement or collar L on the bottle to exclude air from the device and keep the surface and the liquid from drying up or clogging.

If desired, a suitable seating can be provided upon the cap itself on to which the cover K can be placed. The cover K may be screwed on instead of a push fit, as shown.

It is to be understood that any suitable material may be used, as long as it has a sufficiently stiff pile to apply the liquid and spread it uniformly over the surface and that the shape of the tubular portion may be altered and that other suitable flexible material than rubber may be employed for the tubular portion, without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim.

A device for applying thin layers of liquids comprising a receptacle, a hollow flexible cap adapted to fit over the mouth of said receptacle and to be in unrestricted communication with the contents of said bottle, at least one flat face on said cap, a slit in one flat face of said cap adapted to be opened on bending the end of said cap, and a covering of flexible material on at least one of said flat faces, the said slit being left uncovered by said material so as to deliver the said liquid on to the flexible material.

JOHN MARSHALL WILSON. 

